Folding and gluing machine.



E. G. STAUDE.

FOLDING. AND GLUING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1911. 1, 1 04,@] 3 Patented July 21, 1914,

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. G. STAUDE.

FOLDING AND GLUING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1911.

1 1 04 01 3 Patented July 21, 1914.

8 SHEETSSHEET 2.

- E. GFSTAUDE.

FOLDING AND GLUING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1911.

8 SHEETSSHEET 3.

Patented July 21, 1914.

E. G. STAUDE.

FOLDING AND GLUING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1911.

E. G. STAUDE.

FOLDING AND GLUING MACHINE.

. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1911. 1, 1 04,1 3., 1 Patented July 21, 1914.

' I s SHEETS-SHEET 5.

E. G. STAUDE.

FOLDING AND GLUING MACHINE;

APPLICATION 11.21) MAR. 21, 1911.

Patented. July 21, 1914.

8 SHEETSSHEET 6.

E. G. STAUDE.

FOLDING AND GLUING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1911.

1 104 01 3 Patented July 21, 191% 8 SHEETSSHBET 7.

Patented July 21, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

mmmsu W/T/VATSSES EDWIN GUSTAVE STAUDE, or MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

FOLDING AND GLUING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 21, 1914.

Application filed March 21, 1911. Serial No. 615,999.

To all whom it may concern from the following detailed description.

Be it known that I, EDWIN G. STAUDE, of Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin, State of Minnesota, have invented certain Improvements in Folding and Gluing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for automatically folding box or envelop blanks, or folding and gluing them, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a machine in which the flaps of the blanks may be folded or folded and glued with great rapidity as the blanks are fed through the machine. A further object is to provide a machine which can be readily adapted for different sizes of blanks.

Other objects of the invention will appear The invention consists generally in the constructions and combinations hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying my invention, as arranged for operating upon small or narrow blanks, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine with the feeding and stacking devices omitted and showing the machine arranged for operating "upon blanks of larger size, Fig. 3 is a vertical, longitudinal section of the machine, Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the carrier belts, intermediate upper carrier belt, the formers, and some of the parts connected therewith, Fig. 5 is a partial side elevation of the intermediate conveyer belt and supporting devices andthe upper carrier belt and shoe, Fig. 6 is a transverse, vertical section showing the conveying and folding devices when the machine is arranged for operating upon small blanks, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the machine arranged for operating upon large blanks, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, Fig. 8 is a plan view of the left hand carrier, Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the same carrier belt and the means for supporting the same, Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a bracket supporting a presser bolt, Fig. 11 is a transverse section of the rail supporting the forward end of one of the presser belts, Fig. 12 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view showing the intermediate carrier and the position of the glue pot support, Fig. 13 is a plan view of the same, showing in addition the glue pot in position for use, Fig. 14 is. a sectional view showing the side carriers brought close together for operating on small blanks, Fig. 15 is a detail view of the means of mounting the carrier frames, Fig. 16 is a detail sectional view showing the annular groove in the hub of the carrier belt pulley. Figs. 17 and 18 are detail views showing the 'manner of mounting the tension devices in the upper carrier frame.

In all of the drawings, A represents the main frame of the machine, which may be of any suitable size or construction. At the forward end of the machine is a suitable feeding device B, which is adapted to feed the blanks,

, either box or envelop, in succession to the folding and gluing devices, and at the rear of the machine is a suitable receiver and stacker C, which is adapted to receive and stack the folded and glued boxes or envelops. As the feeding and stacking devices herein indicated, generally by the reference letters 13 and 0, do not form any part of my present invention, I do not particularly describe the same, nor do I limit myself to the usewith this machine of any particular feeding or stacking devices, as the folding and gluing mechamsms may be used with any suitable feeder and with any suitable device for receiving and holding the boxes or envelops after they have been folded and glued.

In the drawings I have indicated the right side folder frame by the reference figure 2 and the left side folder frame by the reference figure 3. These folder frames 2 and 3 extend lengthwise of the machine, the frame 2 being supported by threaded screwshafts 4, 5 and 6, and the frame 3 by threaded screw-shafts 7, 8, and 9. The screwshafts 5 and Gare connected by a sprocket chain 10 and the screw-shafts 5 and 1 are connected by a sprocket chain 11. The screw-shafts 8 and 9 are connected by a sprocket chain .12 and the screw-shafts 8 and 7 are connected by a sprocket chain 13.

Similar screw-shafts 14 and 15 are connected by a sprocket chain 16 and these shafts support a frame 17 which in turn supports the intermediate carrying belt 17. By placing a suitable crank ata point 18, 19, or

20, and operating the same either of the folder frames or the frame for the center carrying device can be adjusted to any point across the machine. At the forward end of the side folder frames and the intermediate a: carrying device, I'mount a shaft 21 having a j pulley 22 over which operates a belt 23. (See Fig. 12). The forward end of the folder frame 2 engages an annular groove 22 on the hub of the pulley 22, (Fig. 15),

so that asthe frame 2 is moved across the machine it moves the pulley along the shaft which is similarly mounted on a. shaft 25. (See Fig. 3). The belt 23 just described: serves as a carrier for the right side folder '1 frame 2 and it will be noted that by operj ating the cprank at the point 19, (Fig. 2) the folder /frame 2, the pulleys 22 and 24; which drive the belt 23 and the belt 23 will all move laterally'together. In "this way I' am able to adjust the frame 2 with its cari rying and folding mechanism very rapidly,

transversely of the machine.

its forward end, but passes around an idler 27 secured to the frame, as shown in Figs.

4, 8, 9 and 12 of the drawings. The folder frame 3 is preferably shorter than the opposite frame, as shown in Fig. 1', to allow the transverse movement of the glue pot past the end of the frame 3. This construction allows the ad'ustmcnt of the glue pot to a point where t e glue can' be applied to the flaps of comparatively a continuation of the frame 3 and extending forwardly over the screw shaft 4 for the purpose of guiding the blank to the carrier 5 belts. The belt 26 is driven from a pulley- 24 on the shaft 25 similar to the pulley 24. (See F ig. 1). A crank operated at the 1 point 18 will adjust the left hand folder frame 3 with its folding mechanism, carrier belt, etc., to any desired point across the machine. (See Fig. 1.)

Mounted on the frame 2 is an adjustable, inclined folder bar 28 and similarly mounted on the folder frame 3 is a similar in- (See Fig. and then clined adjustable folder. bar 29. 2). These bars serve to turn vu fold inward and downward the side flaps of the blanks, as indicated in Fi s. 6 and 7 of the drawings, one of said'si e flaps being folded in advance of the other so that one flap is turned down onto the middle portion of the blank end and the other flap is turned (See Figs. 12, 15 and 16). The rear (See Fig. 13).

fed into the machine the flap that is to be underneath when both flaps are folded has its edge passed over a suitable gluing device D by which the desired amount of glue will be applied to the flap near the edge thereof. I do not in this application describe in detail the construction of the gluing device, as the same forms no part of my present invention.'

The intermediate carrier belt 17 is driven from a pulley 31 on the shaft 21, (see Fig. 3) and the three carrier belts 17, 23 and 26 are moved at the same rate of speed to carry the blanks through the machine, To c0- operate with the intermediate carrier belt 1 I provide an upper carrier belt- 32, (see Figs. 2, 3, and 12) which is held in contact with the lower belt 17 by suitable idle rolls 33. "(See Fig. 5). These rolls are mount ed in a suitable tension device to permit them to adjust automatically to various thicknesses'of box'blanks. Each of the tension devices comprises, preferably, a truck 33' vertically slidable on a stud 33 which is mounted on a plate 34 carried by the frame '34. A spring 34" yieldingly holds the truck 33 in its depressed position. 'By

. increasing or decreasing the tension of the The folder frame 3 is similar to the folder frame 2 exceptthat its carrier belt26 does] not pass around a pulley on the shaft 21 at,

spring the pressure of the rolls 33 may be regulated as desired. The frame 34 supporting-the tension devices is pivoted at a oint 35 on an arm 36 that is carried by a shaft 37. (See Fig. 12). This construction is shown clearly in Fig. 3 of the drawin s.

ix shaft 38 is mounted directly above the shaft 21 and carries a=pulley 39 which operates the carrier belt 32. (-See Fig. 12). A suitable tightening device 40 keeps the belt at the proper tension. The forward end 34 of the frame 34 is tapered and supports the idler rolls 41 which bear directly upon the belt 17 or on the blank which is being passed through the machine. idler rollers is to keeptheblanks moving from the point where they leave the belt 32 until they are engaged by the side presser.

brackets 42' are preferably adjustably arranged upon these ribs, being secured in position by set-screws 6. (Figs. 11 and 14). The pulley 43, mounted in the forward bracket, is preferably set a shortdistance above the top of the side carrier belt so that the forward end, or receiving end, of the presser belt 42 is slightly elevated to allow The object of these,

the entrance of the blanks between the belts while the pulleys 43, any suitable number of which may be employed, are set quite close to the top of the carrier belt so as to bring the lower stretch of the presser belt 42 in contact with the upper surface of the side carrier belt. (Fig.

In Fig. 14 I have illustrated the side frames and their carrier belts adjusted close together for operating on small blanks and when used in this way I prefer to mount a ring 43 on the studs 42', securing said ring by means of a set-screw 42 to said stud. This bearing ring is adjustable back and forth on the stud and as shown in Fig. 14 it may be set to overhang the abutting edges of the carrier belts and cooperate with the presser belt 42 to advance the blanks, the other presser belt being preferably omitted.

The inclined folders 28 and 29 extend to points near the forward ends of the presser belts 42. (Fig. 2). down upon the belts 23 and 26 I provide suitable formers 44 consisting preferably of metal bars mounted in suitable brackets 47) adjustably supported by the shaft 37. (Fig. 2). These formers are preferably adjustcd at their forward end, or the end toward the front or receiving end of. the machine at quite a little distance above the surface of the cooperating or underlying carrier belt. I have usually found it desir able to have a space of about one-eighth of an inch between the under surface of the former and the opposing surface of the carrier belt at this point, while at the rear end of the former it may be permitted to touch or be very close to the surface of the belt. These formers are adjusted transversely .of the machine so as to stand just inside of the scored lines of the blanksand hold down the blanks on the carrier belts and prevent the middle portions of the blanks from movingy upward as the flaps are turned upward by the folders 28 and 29.

I When it is desired to operate the machine on blanks that are more than four inches wide when folded flat, I prefer to use the three lower carrier belts with the upper carrienin position over the central carrier belt 17, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7 of the drawing.

To permit the gluing of blanks of less width than may be conveniently run on the machine when the three carrier belts are employed, I remove the frame 17 which sup ports the carrier belt 17. This frame 17 is made capable of removal by providing standards 17 having forked lower .ends, (Figs. 3 and 7) engaging grooves on nuts 14 which travel on the screw-shafts 14 and I To hold the blanks the right over the belt-23 and sliding the arm 36 on the shaft 37, I can utilize the edge of the frame 34 and the tapered end 34 of said frame as a former. (Figs. 3, 6 and 12). I may also bring the folder frames 2 and 3- any desired distance toward each other and room for the glue applying device D and permit it to be adjusted close to the carrier frame 2 when small blanks with narrow panels are to be folded and glued. At the rear of the machine I preferably provide feed rolls 56, which receive the folded blanks from the presser belts 42 and deliy'er them .to suitable belts 57 by which they are delivered to the receiving or stacking device.

The folder frames 2 and 3 and the frame for the center carrier are each preferably provided with suitable anti-friction rolls 60, over which the carrier belts pass.

The forward end 34 of the frame 34, as shown plainly in the'drawings, is reduced in width by being recessed preferably on one side so that when the intermediate carrier frame is removed and the upper carrier frame is used in connection with one of the side frames, this forward end 34 will be sufliciently narrow to prevent it from interfering with the side carrier belts when the side frames are adjusted for operating on very small blanks.

This machine, while adapted generally for operating on box blanks, may also be used for folding other blanks, such as for enframes and carrier belts therefor, of presser belts carried by the folder frames and arranged above said carrier belts, the folder frame carrier belt and presser belt on one side of the machine being adjustable toward or from the corresponding parts on the other side of the machine, rolls for said presser belts, the rolls of one of said presser belts being adjustable longitudinally of their axes of rotation and in parallelism with the carrier belt.

2. The combination with the laterally adjustable side folder framesand carrier belts therefor, of presser belts and rolls, therefor carried by the folder frames and transversely adjustable with said folder frames, and means for moving one of said presser belts laterally relatively to the carrier belt of the adjacent folder frame. a

3. The combination, with-the side folder frames and carrier belts therefor, of an intermediate carrier frame and carrier belt and an upper carrier beltcooperating with gluing device also transversely adjustable and capable of movement past the end of said shorter frame to permit the application of glue to comparatively small blanks.-

- 5. The combination, with the side folder frames and carrier belts therefor, of an intermediate carrier frame and carrier belt and an upper'carrier belt cooperating with said intermediate carrier belt, said interme diate frame having depending standards having forked lower ends, transverse screw shafts having a driving connection between them, nuts mounted on said shafts and engaging the forked lower ends of said standards, whereby the revolution of said shafts will move said intermediate frame laterally between said side frames.

6. The combination, with the side folder framesand carrier belts and folders there.- for, of an upper carrier frame and carrier belt therefor, said side frames and said upper frame being laterally adjustable, said upper frame having a recessed forward portion to adapt it for use with said side frames and belts in operating upon small blanks.

7. The combination, with the side frames and folders and carrier belts therefor, of an intermediate carrier frame and belt, an up:

per frame and carrier belt arranged to cooperate with said intermediate carrier belt, tension devices carried by said upper carrier frame, and positioned between the upper and lower runs of the belt of said. frame, said tension devices being composed of a series of independent. vertically sliding trucks and pressure Wheels mounted thereon, and.

means for yieldingly holding said trucks and pressure wheels toward the work.

8. The combination, with the side carrier frames and belts and folders, of an intermediate carrier frame and belt, an upper frame and belt therefor, a plate mounted in said upper frame and having an upwardly projecting stud, a truck vertically slidable on said stud and having bearing wheels, and included between the side walls of said frame and the upper and lower runs of the belt of said frame, and a spring" mounted on said stud and having means for increasing or decreasing its tension to regulate the pressure of said truck wheels on the blanks.

9. The combination, with the side frames, carrier belts therefor and folders, of an intermediate frame and carrier belt, an upper vertical movement therein, and positioned between the upper and lower runs of the belt of said frame, pressure wheels carried by said truck and means for yieldingly holding said truck down upon the work. I

10. The combination, with a carrier frame and belt, of an upper frame and belt thereforv overhanging said first named frame and belt, said upper frame having opening therein, a tension device comprising a truck andcarrying wheels therefor fitting within said opening and having a limited vertical movement therein, between the upper and lower runs of the belt of said frame, and means for yieldingly holding down said truck and pressure wheels.

11. The combination, with the side carrier frames and belts and folders, of an interframe being comand having means for contacting with the lower runs of the belt, the tension device being positioned between the upper and lower runs of the frame belt.

.12. The combination, with a carrier frame and belt, ofan upper carrier frame and belt therefor arranged to cooperate with said first named belt, said upper frame having a transverse opening therein, and a tension device having pressure wheels mounted in said frame within said opening and included between the opposite side faces of said frame and the upper and lower runs of the frame belt.

13. The combination, with the side folder frames and carrier belts therefor, of presser belts arranged above said carrier belts, sup-- ports for said presser belts, studs mounted thereon, rolls journa-led on said studs and rings adjustable horizontally on'said rolls and encircled by one of said presser belts, the adjustment of said ring moving its presser belt laterally with respect to the adjacent carrier belt.

14. The combination, with a machine frame, of side folder frames mounted therein and carrier belts therefor, upright brackets mounted on said frame, studs mounted in said brackets and projecting inwardly therefrom, rolls journaled on said studs, presser belts encircling said rolls, the studs at the receiving ends of said presser belts being vertically adjustable in their brackets for, an upper carrier frame, a belt for said frame, a pivoted arm whereon said upper carrier frame is pivotally supported at a point intermediate to its ends between the upper and lower runs of the belt, and tension devices for holding said upper framebelt upon said intermediate carrier belt.

16. The combination, with an intermediate carrier frame and a belt therefor, of an upper carrier frame, abelt for said upper frame, tension devioes mounted in said upper frame between the upper and lower runs of the belt and operating to hold its belt upon said intermediate carrier belt, and a pivoted arm whereto the middle portion of said upper carrier frame is pivotally connected.

17. The combination, with the intermediate carrier frame and a belt therefor, of an upper carrier frame, a belt for said upper frame, tension devices mounted in said upper frame between the upper and lower runs of the belt and operating to hold thelower run of said upper frame belt upon the upper run of said intermediate belt, said upper frame having a forwardly projectin portion and idle wheels mounted in said orwardly projecting portionand arranged. to bearupon said intermediate carrier belt.

18. The combination with a side folder frame and a carrier belt therefor, of a second carrier frame and carrier belt therefor to one side of the first mentioned frame, said second frame having depending standa'rds provided with forked lower ends, transverse sorew shafts having driving connec-' tions between them and nuts mounted on said shafts and engaging the lower forked ends of said standards, whereby the revolutionv of said shafts will move said intermediate frame laterally.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of March, 1911.

EDWIN GUSTAVE STAUDE. Witnesses:

GENEVIEVE E. SARENSEY, EDWARD A. PAUL. 

